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News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Biggest myths and misconceptions about China among travellers debunked
Aussies are known to frequent destinations like Thailand, Bali and Japan – but there's a new international player in town. Australians are showing renewed enthusiasm for travel to China, with tourism surging thanks in part to a 30-day, visa-free policy introduced mid last year and budget-friendly tour packages. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showed the number of Aussies visiting China surged to 85.32 per cent in 2024, up to 580,500 visitors, compared to the year before (313,240). The trend has continued into 2025, with the number in February rising by 73.6 per cent compared to February last year (40,670), reaching 70,590. The figure isn't far behind Australians' much-loved overseas destination, Japan, which recorded 97,290 visits during the same month. One Aussie traveller revealed in a TikTok she spent just $999 during 10 days in China on a Trip A Deal tour. 'This included our return international airfares from Melbourne, one internal flight, daily buffet breakfast, all accommodation and some tourist attractions,' Demi, a travel blogger from the Gold Coast said. 'I spent $170 on food all up for the 10 days – this averaged out to be $17 per day, it's very cheap to eat in China. 'You have the option to add any tours onto your ti so this cost me $100. @whereisdem How much I spent travelling china for 10 days! #travel #traveltiktok #traveltips #china #chinatips #tripadeal #tripadealchina #aussieinchina @TripADeal ♬ original sound - Demi 'This one is definitely optional but I spent $500 on shopping so obviously it's very cheap.' But while China continues to soar in popularity, with Aussies able to travel without a paid visa for up to 30 days, there are still big misconceptions surrounding the country that can otherwise deter some travellers. Simon Bell, managing director of Wendy Wu Tours Australia, said some Aussies are under the impression China is just big cities and concrete jungles – but he said this couldn't be further from the truth. 'Yes, China's cities are impressive and while cities like Beijing and Shanghai are world-renowned, China is home to incredible natural wonders and lush green spaces, quaint rural villages, and national parks that rival anything seen elsewhere in the world,' he said. He said many travellers are surprised by just how much natural beauty China has to offer. 'For many of our customers, the natural scenery ends up being the most memorable and rewarding part of their journey,' Simon told He said another big myth is that it's hard to get around and communicate. 'China has one of the most advanced transport networks in the world, including high-speed trains that rival air travel,' Simon explained. He said while not everyone speaks English, translation apps, signage in key areas, and tour guides with reputable companies, make getting around easier than many expect. And believe it or not, it's also a foodie paradise. @colorfulpanda2024 Twelve places you must visit when you first come to Guangzhou #guangzhou #guangzhou_china #guangzhouthingstodo #guangzhoutravel #ChinaTourism #Guangzhou ♬ 原聲 - Hanna in Guangzhou @adventureamore1 China is huge — and when you're trying to cover it in 15 days, you're basically in transit as much as you're exploring. Bullet trains, planes, metros, boats, taxis — nonstop. You need gear that keeps up. The Gomatic Check-in did exactly that. It glides like a dream (shoutout to the 360° wheels), it's TSA-lock approved, and it expands from 87L to 127L — which we absolutely needed after cramming in snacks, jackets, and half of Shanghai. Here's the trip: Days 1–3: Zhangjiajie. We kicked things off with the epic Tianmen Mountain — cliffside skywalks, deep valleys, and vertical drops that don't feel real. Then the Avatar mountains, straight out of another world. That night? The glowing madness of the 72 Wonder Tower. Finished with the insane glass bridge and a calm drift across Baofeng Lake surrounded by jungle cliffs. Day 4: Caught a bullet train to Fenghuang Ancient Town, where ancient stilt houses and stone alleys line the river, lit by red lanterns at night. Quiet, timeless, and unforgettable. Days 5–8: Shanghai. Neon skylines, the Bund, Nanjing Road, hidden temples, and a day at Disneyland. From 1am street dumplings to 100th-floor views, this city never slows down. Days 9–10: Bullet train to Shangrao, then a taxi deep into the mountains to Wangxian Valley — where villages sit on cliff edges and clouds roll right through your window. Remote, surreal, and one of the most unique stays we've ever had. Day 11: Back to Shanghai for a refuel. Days 12–15: Beijing. The Great Wall. The Forbidden City. The world's biggest Universal Studios. And a proper Peking duck feast that ended the trip right. 4 regions. 15 days. Constant movement. And one suitcase that never missed a beat. #GomaticCheckIn #ChinaTravel #AdventureAmore #Zhangjiajie #ShanghaiTrip #WangxianValley #FenghuangTown #BeijingAdventures #CoupleTravel #LuggageThatLasts ♬ original sound - 'Every region has its own distinctive cuisine, from the bold spices of Sichuan to the dumplings of the north. We make it a priority to introduce our guests to local specialties in every location, and with all meals included in our Classic tours, it's a delicious (and stress-free) part of the experience,' he said. Simon said the introduction of visa-free travel is part of the reason Wendy Wu Tours Australia has seen a significant uplift, with bookings to China more than doubling compared to last year. 'In the past six months, China has returned to being one of our top-booked destinations, with many travellers opting for group tours that allow them to take full advantage of the visa-free policy – while also exploring both iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path gems. This trend is continuing to gain momentum,' he said. 'There are several key factors behind this boom – awareness of China as a destination has grown, and travellers are increasingly drawn to its unique mix of modern cities, rich culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes. 'We've also seen increased airline capacity, with more direct flight options and new carriers entering the Australian market, and a notable improvement in public sentiment following the removal of trade barriers. All of this has combined to make China an exciting and attainable destination for Australians in 2025.' Simon said the Aussie company's most popular tours tend to cater to first-time visitors who are keen to experience China's iconic highlights. 'These itineraries often include Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian to see the Terracotta Warriors, and a Yangtze River Cruise, offering the perfect balance of urban energy, cultural depth, and scenic beauty.' There's around 52 China tour packages with some that also include other Asian destinations like Japan and Singapore. Fully inclusive group tours for 10 days start from 5580pp twin share (In Pursuit of Pandas).
New York Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
‘Dead cheap' trip through Qantas-owned holiday website TripADeal ends in $3.2K shock
When an Aussie couple booked a dream holiday, including scoring business class flights for just $1,000 ($644 USD) each through a travel site owned by Qantas they were ecstatic – but things took an unexpected turn when they later learned an extra $5,000 ($3,200 USD) could be added to their bill. Rod Gaynor had booked a holiday with travel website TripADeal, which included three nights in Fiji, an 18-day cruise through the islands down to Sydney and business class flights back to their home town of Perth. Advertisement In total, the retirees paid $12,000 ($7,700 USD) for the trip, which included $2,000 ($1,300 USD) for the business class seats. 'I said to them: 'That's ridiculous, that's dead cheap,' Gaynor recalled, but is now warning people to always read the fine print when it comes to these types of deals. When the couple's flight details dropped two weeks after booking their August holiday, they were shocked to discover they had been dumped in economy class seats on the Qantas flight back to Perth. 6 Rod Gaynor booked a Fiji trip with travel website TripADeal for him and his wife, and they were shocked to learned that an extra charge could be added to their bill. Supplied Advertisement 6 'I said to them: 'That's ridiculous, that's dead cheap,' Gaynor recalled of the deal, warning people to always read the fine print after being dumped in economy class seats on the Qantas flight back to Perth. 'Naturally I contacted TripADeal and they were unsympathetic and quoted from the T&C's that they were able to do this,' he told Gaynor was told by TripADeal any upgrade purchases are subject to availability and aircraft configuration. But the Perth man investigated the aircraft and discovered there were 12 business seats available on that flight. Advertisement Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Still the 68-year-old said TripADeal would not put them in business class and initially flat out refused to even refund the fare difference. He was then told by the company: 'As the business class upgrade for the Sydney to Perth flight was over the net pricing built into the deal, unfortunately this was a part of the reason we were not able to provide the upgrade for this flight'. But when the retired schoolteacher pointed out the failure to provide a refund was 'actually illegal' after seeking advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions, he said the company suddenly 'backflipped'. Advertisement 6 'The business class upgrade for the Sydney to Perth flight was over the net pricing built into the deal, unfortunately this was a part of the reason we were not able to provide the upgrade,' TripADeal told Gaynor. Ryan – He was told he would receive a refund as a 'gesture of goodwill', despite the company stating it had honored two other flights in business class. 'TripADeal changed their tune and said we will give you a refund of $350 ($225 USD) each and we understand you are upset,' he said. 'But they said your costs went above net pricing, it's built into our deals and flight pricing can be quite volatile and is subject to what is available on each airline. 6 'TripADeal changed their tune and said we will give you a refund of $350 each,' Gaynor said after he pointed out to the company that failure to provide a refund was 'actually illegal.' jakartatravel – 'The company used net pricing as an excuse instead of configuration once they got busted for that.' While he has now received the $700 refund, Gaynor claims TripADeal never intended to honor the business class flight deal and believes he isn't the only customer who has been caught out. He said TripADeal offered the couple business class seats on the Qantas flight for an extra $2,377 ($1,500 USD) each or through Virgin for $1,266 ($815 USD) per person. Advertisement 6 Gaynor claims TripADeal never intended to honor the business class flight deal and believes he isn't the only customer who has dealt with this. Mike Workman – 'That's $500 ($321 USD) extra with Virgin so they already knew from the very beginning that it would be economy on way back,' he claimed. He said the deal from the start seemed 'silly'. Advertisement 'It's not so much the difference between economy and business class, it's the idea they are deliberately cheating, which upsets me,' he claimed. 'I can't imagine how may times it's happened and every time I've pushed them and shown my research and maths they backflip. I think they assume you accept it.' The offer to pay more money for business class seats even made him 'laugh', he said. 'That's just rubbish,' he said. Advertisement 'TripADeal never ever had any intention to provide what they promised. It's like the old days when Qantas were selling seats on planes that were never going to take off and they got busted as well.' But after contacted TripADeal, the couple were issued business class seats for the Perth flight. 6 'TripADeal never ever had any intention to provide what they promised. It's like the old days when Qantas were selling seats on planes that were never going to take off and they got busted as well,' Gaynor said. sezerozger – A TripADeal spokesperson said the company sincerely apologises to Gaynor for what has been a frustrating situation. Advertisement 'Due to a servicing error Mr Gaynor's booking was not ticketed correctly. We have since confirmed his seats in business class and will ensure the rest of his experience with us is seamless,' they said. But Gaynor said after TripADeal's 'blatant' disregard for customers, he would never use a travel deal website again. 'I had to keep pushing every time over every detail,' he added, 'At the end, I asked if they can arrange seating so I can get extra legroom and they said no you have to go to airline and then the airline said you have to get the travel agent to do that and we went back to them again. So its like extracting teeth, every little bit of it, they make it harder.' understands TripADeal does not offer seat selection and where possible a customer is encouraged to manage their booking through the airline directly to select their seats. Gaynor said he had made a complaint to the Airline Customer Advocate, a resolution service for customers of major Australian airlines, and had left negative social media reviews after his 'frustrating' experience. Qantas acquired a majority stake of the Byron Bay born business TripADeal in 2022, enabling its Frequent Flyers to earn and use their Qantas Points, before snapping up the rest of the business in the middle of 2024. At the time it said it wanted continued exposure to the growing $13 billion ($8.3B USD) online holiday packages market.
News.com.au
02-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Qantas' ‘dead cheap' trip ends in $5k shock
When an Aussie couple booked a dream holiday, including scoring business class flights for just $1000 each through a travel site owned by Qantas they were ecstatic – but things took an unexpected turn when they later learned an extra $5000 could be added to their bill. Rod Gaynor had booked a holiday with travel website TripADeal, which included three nights in Fiji, an 18-day cruise through the islands down to Sydney and business class flights back to their home town of Perth. In total, the retirees paid $12,000 for the trip, which included $2000 for the business class seats. 'I said to them: 'That's ridiculous, that's dead cheap,' Mr Gaynor recalled, but is now warning people to always read the fine print when it comes to these types of deals. When the couple's flight details dropped two weeks after booking their August holiday, they were shocked to discover they had been dumped in economy class seats on the Qantas flight back to Perth. 'Naturally I contacted TripADeal and they were unsympathetic and quoted from the T&C's that they were able to do this,' he told Mr Gaynor was told by TripADeal any upgrade purchases are subject to availability and aircraft configuration. But the Perth man investigated the aircraft and discovered there were 12 business seats available on that flight. Still the 68-year-old said TripADeal would not put them in business class and initially flat out refused to even refund the fare difference. He was then told by the company: 'As the business class upgrade for the Sydney to Perth flight was over the net pricing built into the deal, unfortunately this was a part of the reason we were not able to provide the upgrade for this flight'. But when the retired schoolteacher pointed out the failure to provide a refund was 'actually illegal' after seeking advice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions, he said the company suddenly 'backflipped'. Do you have a story? Contact He was told he would receive a refund as a 'gesture of goodwill', despite the company stating it had honoured two other flights in business class. 'TripADeal changed their tune and said we will give you a refund of $350 each and we understand you are upset,' he said. 'But they said your costs went above net pricing, it's built into our deals and flight pricing can be quite volatile and is subject to what is available on each airline. 'The company used net pricing as an excuse instead of configuration once they got busted for that.' While he has now received the $700 refund, Mr Gaynor claims TripADeal never intended to honour the business class flight deal and believes he isn't the only customer who has been caught out. He said TripADeal offered the couple business class seats on the Qantas flight for an extra $2377 each or through Virgin for $1266 per person. 'That's $500 extra with Virgin so they already knew from the very beginning that it would be economy on way back,' he claimed. He said the deal from the start seemed 'silly'. 'It's not so much the difference between economy and business class, it's the idea they are deliberately cheating, which upsets me,' he claimed. 'I can't imagine how may times it's happened and every time I've pushed them and shown my research and maths they backflip. I think they assume you accept it.' The offer to pay more money for business class seats even made him 'laugh', he said. 'That's just rubbish,' he said. 'TripADeal never ever had any intention to provide what they promised. It's like the old days when Qantas were selling seats on planes that were never going to take off and they got busted as well.' But after contacted TripADeal, the couple were issued business class seats for the Perth flight. A TripADeal spokesperson said the company sincerely apologises to Mr Gaynor for what has been a frustrating situation. 'Due to a servicing error Mr Gaynor's booking was not ticketed correctly. We have since confirmed his seats in business class and will ensure the rest of his experience with us is seamless,' they said. But Mr Gaynor said after TripADeal's 'blatant' disregard for customers, he would never use a travel deal website again. 'I had to keep pushing every time over every detail,' he added, 'At the end, I asked if they can arrange seating so I can get extra legroom and they said no you have to go to airline and then the airline said you have to get the travel agent to do that and we went back to them again. So its like extracting teeth, every little bit of it, they make it harder.' understands TripADeal does not offer seat selection and where possible a customer is encouraged to manage their booking through the airline directly to select their seats. Mr Gaynor said he had made a complaint to the Airline Customer Advocate, a resolution service for customers of major Australian airlines, and had left negative social media reviews after his 'frustrating' experience. Qantas acquired a majority stake of the Byron Bay born business TripADeal in 2022, enabling its Frequent Flyers to earn and use their Qantas Points, before snapping up the rest of the business in the middle of 2024. At the time it said it wanted continued exposure to the growing $13 billion online holiday packages market.
